Casey O’Connor
WHETHER or not you are a rugby league or AFL follower it would have been difficult, if not impossible not to be caught up in the theatre of two of the most gripping grand finals in the history of the sports.
On Saturday the Western Bulldogs proved fairy tales do come true when they overcame the more-fancied Sydney Swans in the final quarter of the GF at the MCG to take the 2016 flag – 62 years after winning their first and only premiership. The MCG cauldron was a Dogs paradise and no place for a feint- hearted Swan.
Coach Luke Beveridge had everyone grabbing for a tissue when he presented his winning medallion to the club’s inspirational captain Bob Murphy. Although sidelined by injury earlier in the season, the captain was widely acclaimed as an integral part of the premiership victory. The coach provided the Cinderella glass slipper moment in this fairy-tale when he called Murphy to the podium and handed over his medallion.
Saturday set the stage for the footy gods to deliver on Sunday in the NRL grand final and for once they obliged.
Porch lights across the shire have finally been extinguished after the Sharks claimed their first premiership in the club’s 50-year history in a nail-biting finish to the NRL grand final against the Melbourne Storm. (No word yet on any sightings of Harold Holt however).
After dominating the first half, the Sharks had to come from behind late in the second half to snatch the long-awaited victory which brought club legends, fans and players to tears.
Storm skipper and Australian captain Cam Smith reinforced his position as one of the nicest in the game almost stealing the show with an outstanding show of sportsmanship in his postgame speech. No ugly stepsister on display here more Prince Charming.
Fantastic to see one of the league’s unsung heroes, Luke Lewis win the Churchill Medal to just add another dimension to the story.
And so we close the book on the 2016 AFL and NRL seasons and like all good fairy tales – with very happy endings and no doubt a fair share of aching heads for their supporters.
I’m led to believe the Free Times resident Sharks supporter, Tania, may have had a substantial collect after she followed her gut feeling and had a flutter on the Sharks winning the premiership at the start of the season. (May have helped pay for the 30-year-old bottle of port she cracked open following the Sharkies victory.) I may have to have a quiet word to Tania about her thoughts on the upcoming Melbourne Cup given the power of her crystal ball.
Unfortunately, the fairy tale did not extend to the Wallabies and the Australian cricketers who were soundly defeated in South Africa over the weekend.
Guess the good sporting fairy was just all fairy-dusted out after the football. To all Bulldogs and Sharks fans congratulations to you and your teams certainly provided us all with a memorable weekend of grand finals for the ages. Bring on 2017.
– Casey
ORIENTEERS TAKE ON CHALLENGING COURSES
WELL over 700 orienteering enthusiasts from across Australia joined a group of internationals from New Zealand, New Caledonia and several other well credentialed internationals from China, the UK, the Czech Republic and Denmark in the forests on the outskirts of Stanthorpe for the Australian National Orienteering titles.
Brett and Paula Boatfield’s front yard was transformed into a sea of colour acting as the marshalling area for competitors, the finish line for all events on Saturday and the hub for a myriad of spectators.
Organised by the Bullecourt Bullecourt Boulder Bounders, Orienteering Queensland and the Range Runners Orienteering Club, the event was hailed by all a great success.
Runners from seven years of age to 90 took on courses through the forest at Amiens. The granite terrain made a little tougher because of the recent rain. The courses were mapped by the late Eric Andrews earlier in the year and organisers and competitors were full of praise for the complex course. Several competitors wore black arm bands in memory of the course designer.
In the Elite classes, there was more at stake than just the title of Australian Champion. Teams from Australia and New Zealand were competing not only for individual glory but also the final Australian and New Zealand Test Match of 2016.
The two rounds held over the final weekend were very close in the senior men’s division. After the final round in the middle distance race was drawn, both teams locked on 26 points. However, the two-point lead the Australian Elite Males group took into the final day was enough to secure a narrow win in this class.
In the junior division, the New Zealand males built on their two-point lead in the first round at the Sprint, to have an 18-point lead after a strong final showing in the last event of the series. The Australian junior women had a resounding victory to anchor an overall win to the Australian juniors.
The Australian Bushrangers savoured a narrow win to claim the Test and the Aspin-Key Trophy.
2016 NOL also wrapped up with junior elites been won by Lanita Steer and Matt Doyle. The senior elite NOL was won by Simon Uphill and Natasha Key.
Liz Bourne of Bullecourt Bounders and one of the event organisers said the event had been a great success.
“The course received plenty of positive feedback from competitors and the weather has been perfect for orienteering,” Ms Bourne said.
Marian Burrill a Warwick based member of the Bullecourt Bounders and one of the key organisers was full of praise for the course when we caught up with her after she ran into the finish line in her event on Saturday.
“It was certainly a tricky course and I lost some time at the first check point,” the seasoned competitor said. Mrs Burrill said she was delighted with the feedback she received from fellow competitors and paid tribute to the job Eric Andrews had done. After recovering from her event, Mrs Burrill and fellow organisers set off to prepare Sunday’s course at the next location after the presentations to the winners by mayor Tracie Dobie.
The large crowd was well catered for by the Amiens State School P and C over the weekend.
This was my first experience at an orienteering event, and I was most impressed by the enthusiasm of the competitors. A walk through the bush adjacent to some of the check points gave me a great insight into just how challenging some of the terrain was for runners, and I didn’t have to navigate from a map. It was great to see such a large number of kids and teenagers involved in the sport and mixing well with adults of all ages. The event was well organised and there was a great camaraderie among the competitors.
Hats off to the organisers after months of meticulous planning you can take a bow- the 2017 Australian Titles will head to Bathurst in 2017.
WARWICK CRICKETER SEASON ROLLING
THE Warwick Cricket season got underway last weekend with games played at Slade Oval Inglewood and Allora.
The Warwick Redbacks are a new side to the competition in the 2016/’17 season and got a taste of the competition they will face when they took on Colts at headquarters on Saturday. It was not a happy start to the season for the new side as they faced an uphill battle trying to chase down the Colts total of 237. Colts leg spinner Shaun O’Leary decimated the batting line-up in a stunning performance with the ball, taking seven wickets for only 11 runs in only four overs.
Cameron Peterson was the star with the bat for Colts, topscoring with 105.
In Allora, Rascals posted a win over Sovereign in their season opener. Rascals had first use of the wicket, setting their opponents a target of 174. Tom Morris played an outstanding innings, batting for 37 overs and top scoring with 71 runs. Sovereign were dismissed on 105 after some fine bowling from the Rascals attack. Henry Gartery finished with the best bowling figures of 3/27 from five overs. Leading run scorer for Sovereign was Scott McCulloch (55).
Inglewood batsman Shane Hooper opened his season with an impressive century against Allora. His 102 not out helped his side to a convincing 146-run victory over opponents Allora.
DUDGEONS LEAD THE WAY
THE Inglewood Sporting Shooters Club held Clay and Pistol events last Sunday.
Michael Dudgeon led the way in the clays defeating Stephanie Dudgeon and Tim Patterson.
In the Pistol event, it was another Dudgeon taking the prize ahead of Jody King and Peter Jones.
This weekend a safety course will be held at the range clubhouse on Bosnjaks Road. Courses commence at 9am.
Sunday the club is holding the Single Action Competition and Rimfire Rifle event.
Sunday will be our Single Actin Shooting comp and rimfire rifle.
WARWICK CUP MEETING POPULAR
OCTOBER heralds the start of the Melbourne Spring Carnival and of course the running of the major local racing events on the calendar the Warwick and Stanthorpe Cup meetings.
This weekend Allman Park will host a big crowd for the running of the 1500 metre Warwick Credit Union Cup. With a total prizemoney of $20,000 on offer the Cup has attracted 16 nominations.
At the close of nominations earlier in the week, 35 runners had been nominated for The Frasers Livestock Transport Newmarket Handicap, assuring a maximum number of runners in the $15,000 event.
The seven-event programme has been well supported by not only local owners and trainers but also visitors.
Good to see Deagon trainer Pat Duff has nominated runners in three events including the well-credentialed Fasta Than Light in the Cup. The six-year-old gelding has won nine of his 47 starts. His last three starts include a recent fourth placing at the Gold Coast and wins in Bundaberg and Gympie.
The Ben Currie stable has nominated several runners and look to have a strong hand in the Cup with Heroic Action a last start winner in Ballina.
Toowoomba trainers Matt Kropp Michael Nolan and Tony Sears are among a number of visiting trainers who have multiple runners nominated for the busy days racing.
Flying the local flag will be horses from the Garry Schwenke and Les Clarke stables.
There will be plenty of action on and off the course where race day parties do not come any bigger.
You can get in the pre-race mood at the MyOptical Calcutta evening which kicks off at 5.30pm on Friday in the members area at Allman Park.
On race day, the Fashions on the Field with a prize pool of $5000 will once again be hotly contested.
The place to be on race day will no doubt be in the Trackside Pavilion. Post-race entertainment will be provided by Bob Mouat.
Pre-purchased admission tickets are available from the Turf Club.
“GARRA” WIN FOR WILLIAMS
GOLFERS out on the Wallangarra Course last Saturday were playing for chance to win the Monthly Medal Putting. The day sponsored by the Wallangarra railway station. Peter Williams came out firing and kept up the good form to the final hole. He nailed the win, relegating Peter Butler to the runner-up position. The greens proved hard to hit in swirling winds and there were no winners of pin shots. Peter Butler may have missed out on the win, but took out the putting competition.
A single stableford event has been scheduled for next Saturday. A reminder to members that the 36 Hole Foursomes Championships will be played on 16 October. Tee off time will be from 9.30am to 10am on 16 October.
STANTHORPE CRICKET IN LIMBO
THE start of the Stanthorpe Cricket Association’s 2016/’17 season remains in limbo as this edition goes to press. Discussions continue with the Southern Downs Council over changes to the maintenance of the ovals under the council’s new strategy.
A meeting between the McGlew Street Sporting Association and council representatives has been set down for Wednesday night in the hope of reaching a mutually beneficial resolution to the impasse.
NERVOUS WAIT FOR MEDAL WINNER
THE battle for the October monthly medal was played out last Saturday on the Stanthorpe golf course and the event sponsored by 4 Waters Supplies, resulted in narrow wins in both the men’s and ladies competition.
Graham Tonkin was out with the first group in the morning and had a nervous wait after returning a score of nett 71. The wait was worth it for Tonkin after the final group finished their round and scores were collated, he was declared the winner.
Tonkin’s score of 40 off the stick on the back nine secured the win for him and puts him in the field for the Medallists to be played next month.
Runner-up was Keith Jones who also played in the lead group and finished one shot back from Tonkin with a nett 72. Graham Tonkin also collected the birdies nest at the first hole.
Dylan Barraclough had best gross round of 75 and the least putts (23) on the day.
In the ladies event, it was Linda Kelly leading the scoring with a nett 74. Only one shot back with nett 75 was Dale Minchenton. In addition to the win, Minchenton also returned the best gross score and best putting for the ladies.
Pin shots were won by Max Hunter at three, Mick O’Brien at 12 and Graham Tonkin at 17. Pro-pins were claimed by Wes Smith at 1/10, Keith Jones at 5/14 and David Burgess at 9/18.
Neta Thouard held the ladies pin at three and Lyn Ludlow had best approach at 17.
Wes Smith, Mike McAuliffe, Alan Kerr and Neta Thouard each collected a ball in the run down.
Organisers of the Breast Cancer Research Day sponsored by Heritage Bank are hoping to the course will be transformed into a sea of pink as players tee off in the single stableford event on Saturday. Players will be decked out in pink and ready to tee off in the shot gun start at 11.45am.
After the fun and frivolity of the “Pink” round on Sunday, members will hit the course in the mixed foursomes championships to be played over 27 holes with tee off at 9.30am and will follow the Sporters.
STANTHORPE JOCKEY CLUB GEARING UP
PREPARATIONS are well underway for one of the most popular events on the country racing calendar, the Caulfield Cup Day meeting at Armstrong Park in Stanthorpe with president Chips Brunckhorst expecting another bumper crowd for the Stanthorpe Cup Day meeting.
“The course is in magnificent order following the recent rain and the committee and volunteers have the track the grounds and facilities in spectacular order, “Mr Brunckhorst said.
There is only a small window of opportunity to book your reserved seating or lunch in the reserve tent area if you have not done so already. Contact club secretary Jill Brunckhorst to arrange your last-minute booking today.
Free buses will run from the ANZ Bank to the course from 11am to cater for early punters and return after the last race. The last bus is scheduled to leave the course at 8pm to cater for those patrons who stay on for the post-race entertainment.
The highlight of the five-event program will be the running of the Central Motors Stanthorpe Cup. Total prizemoney for the annual meeting is $44,000.
The Fashions on the Field event is sure to again be popular with the ladies and the gentlemen with some top prizes on offer.
While Stanthorpe Cup Day is a family friendly event under 18s and parents are reminded that minors must be accompanied at all times by an adult. Patrons are free to bring a picnic basket and enjoy the day, however you are not permitted to bring alcohol on to the course.
It is expected that there will once again be a strong ring of bookmakers betting on local, Brisbane and southern races.
Jamenka holds early favouritism for the Caulfield Cup ahead of Hartnell, Exosphere and Scottish. I have an early leaning towards the $34 Gallante. Plenty of time left to study the form.
VISITORS HEAD TO STANTHORPE
THE Stanthorpe Mallet players welcome visitors from other areas to their Friendship Day today (Thursday 6 October). All members are expected to be on hand to showcase the Stanthorpe facilities to the visitors on what is sure to be a very special social day.
Those playing association croquet last week had to contend with windy and unpleasant conditions. Val Richardson suffered an injury during her game against Andrea Denkewitz and Carol Verwey, and was forced to withdraw. Partner Pat Schnoor continued the game, scoring 21 which included two peels. Unfortunately it was not quite enough as her opponents got on the peg at 24 with both players scoring a peel.
In the other game, Heather Widderick played Margaret Dickenson. Both finished the game with a score of 13. Both scored 13, Margaret Dickenson had a break of five in the game.
The golf croquet crew enjoyed their game in great weather conditions – a nice change. The first group to hit off was Val Fancourt and Dianne Wren who played Teresa Pyne and Liz Ellway. Fancourt contributed eight hoops to her team’s score of 13 and the team notched up a 13-11 win. John Castles and Elaine Brown played Justin Liddy and Marian Castles winning 13-10. John Castles, it seems, has mastered the art of completing perfectly legal jump shots and scored two in this game of nine hoops.
Following the break, Liz Ellway and Teresa Payne teamed up to defeat John Castles and Justin Liddy 9-7. Payne top scored in the game with seven hoops while Liddy scored a hoop in one.
After the break, the team of Liz Ellway and Teresa Pyne defeated John Castles and Justin Liddy 9. Dianne Wren and Val Fancourt defeated Elaine Brown and Marian Castle 13-7. Wren was dominant in this game, scoring nine hoops.
SPORTERS PLAY BACK NINE
SPORTERS were out early on Sunday morning playing the back nine in windy conditions. Winner was Angelo Maugeri.
Runner-up Aaron Simmers had a great day out. He was the runner-up, had the best gross score and claimed the pin shot on the 12th to wrap up a successful morning. The run-downs went to Margie Locke and Tony Steele. Brisbane’s Damian Baltus, a regular visitor won the Pro Pin. Margie Locke also won a meat tray and Terry Byrnes picked up the remaining meat tray.
Players welcomed back Mick Speers from a short break. Sporters will be back out on the course next Sunday with tee off between 8.30am and 9am.
